THE CLOAK
St. Martin's Weekly E-Newsletter
January 15, 2021
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To seek God, and be Christ’s body in the world |
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Dear friends in Christ,
I am writing to update you about our services during the next few weeks as we continue to live through the COVID-19 pandemic. As the positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise in our area, our bishop has decided that we will continue to hold online-only worship until at least the first week of February. He will provide further guidance at that time.
What this means is that we continue to pray together online and we continue to hold each other in prayer at our homes. We are not closed, but open to each other and to God in different way. I know it is difficult to be unable to see each other in person. I feel that greatly and I want to be with you. Both Christ Church and St. Martin's are making big sacrifices to care for our health and that of our neighbors.
If you would like to pray in Christ Church or in St. Martin's, you are welcome to come for sanctuary time. That schedule is on our churches' calendars and in this newsletter. We are also encouraging St. Martin's readers and intercessors to read at the Christ Church live-streamed service, so that the voices of both congregations are heard. The online Evening Prayer on Fridays and Noonday Prayer on Wednesdays are great times to see and pray with other members of the church.
If you have questions or want to talk about what's happening with worship at either church, please let me know. The bishop continues to evaluate the public health situation and will let us know more in the coming weeks.
Click here to view the Bishop's Letter sent on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
In Christ's peace,
The Rev. Veronika Travis
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This Week's Schedule
Friday, January 15
10:00am-2:00pm Sanctuary Time
5:30pm Evening Prayer- ZOOM
Sunday, January 17
9:30am Sunday School for All- ZOOM
10:30am CCI: ONLINE Holy Eucharist. No congregation, ( live stream)
Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
10:00am-2:00pm Sanctuary Time
Wednesday, January 20
10:00am-2:00pm Sanctuary Time
12:00pm Noonday Prayer- ZOOM
Thursday, January 21
1:00pm Bible Discussion- ZOOM
7:00pm Vestries' Meetings-ZOOM
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A New Day and Time
Starting tonight, Friday the 15th, join Pastor Veronika on a new night and time for Evening Prayer. Zoom with her on Fridays at 5:30 PM for prayers, readings, and a time for peace. Here are the meeting details:
or Call: 1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 912 1798 5717
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The Sounds of SMC
Our Music Director, Emily Barth, and soloist, Derek Wilson, recorded 4 anthems for your listening pleasure. The backdrop is St. Martin's sanctuary to provide a sense of "home". One recording will be released every week for the next 4 weeks. They will premiere on our YouTube channel Sunday mornings at 10:15 AM to help set a prayerful mood for the Holy Eucharist service live-streamed at 10:30. This week's video is Amazing Grace - https://youtu.be/busCPSzmRqk. Enjoy! |
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DioPA Curriculum
Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Pennsylvania is offering the highly acclaimed Dismantling Racism: A Youth Curriculum this winter and spring. Ms. Deb took the training for Youth Leaders, and highly recommends youth participate because they may already be very aware of issues of discrimination and racism. This program gives us tools to use to follow our faith and take steps to do something for the "common good." (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
In other words, the curriculum engages teens in conversations about race and racial equality, and how they are integral to our proclamation of faith in Jesus Christ. Read the letter from The Rev. Canon Betsy Ivey for more details:
The Diocese is paying for all costs related to participation in this on-line program so that ALL teens ages 13+ can attend for FREE.
We are encouraging parents, guardians, caregivers, and teens (Age 13+) to attend an information session to explore the contents of this program and give an opportunity for both adults and teens to ask questions.
Sunday, January 17, 2021
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Zoom link (sent after RSVP)
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SMC & CCI Leadership
There will be joint and separate Vestry meetings next Thursday, January 21st. Please reach out to Pastor Veronika or any Vestry member if you have suggestions, questions, or concerns about Church operations.
SMC's VESTRY: Sandy Reinhardt, Fran Pettit, Al Murphy, Carisa Gring, Abby Thomas, McLeod Gwynette, David DeWitt
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Ready for Pick-up
2021 offering envelopes are ready for pick-up during office hours - Mondays and Fridays 9am-3pm and Wednesdays 9am-12:30pm. If you are unable to pick up your envelopes, they will be mailed to you. Please contact Pam Faber or the main office to request the mailing option. Thank you! |
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The Season after the Epiphany
The church is now in the season after the Epiphany, and this will continue until Ash Wednesday, February 17th. The seasonal color is green, so you can look for green paraments (the cloth hangings and vestments in our churches) when you watch online services.
Public worship, either in person or virtual, is central to our life as a Christian community. Last week in Sunday School we started our conversation about the parts of the service and this week we will continue to explore together. Pastor Veronika will be helping us learn more about worship in video recorded messages. All ages are invited to attend Zoom Sunday School at 9:30 am on Sunday. Bring your questions, experiences, and curiosity when you join us!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 977 8051 9998
Passcode: jesus
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Radical Grace
We continue to share portions of Richard Rohr's booklet "Radical Grace," identifying scripture passages relating to what is meant by "Grace." The Book of Common Prayer states, "Grace is God's favor toward us, unearned and undeserved." But as Rohr points out, this does not mean we can just do whatever we please. God often provides guidance, but it is our work to listen and respond. On January 21 we will explore the role of the prophets and how they help us to discern God's will in a broken world. Included in each week's discussion are selections of "Art in the Christian Tradition." Everyone is invited to join us as we discuss responses from our own perspectives.
Join Zoom Meeting
or Call: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 938 4282 6315
Passcode: jesus
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New Year & New Design
St. Martin's website has a new look for the new year. It is a work in progress. If there is a feature you would like to see implemented, please contact Maggie in the main office at 610-688-4830 or admin@stmartinsradnor.org. Check it out at StMartinsRadnor.org. |
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For Those Affected by COVID-19
Here is a special prayer for all who are suffering from COVID-19 either directly or as a caregiver or family member - Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20)
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
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